Firefighters gave big to San Diego City Councilwoman Sherri Lightner last year, contributing about a sixth of the money raised or spent in support of her successful bid for re-election.

In an ongoing look at the influence certain interest groups may have over San Diego’s newly-elected officials, The Watchdog reviewed San Diego Ethics Commission breakdowns of the money raised by Lightner or spent in support of her or in opposition to her unsuccessful challenger, retired Republican businessman Ray Ellis.

Aside from the Democratic Party, which spent or contributed more than $144,000, San Diego Fire Fighters Local 145 Political Action Committee stood out for spending more than $100,000 in support of Lightner.

Two other groups also spent money in support of Lightner, including the San Diego Police Officers Association Political Action Committee, which spent $5,400 and the Community Empowerment Coalition, a group that seeks to increase the political engagement of historically underrepresented populations and spent $4,214.

Perhaps the largest amount of support came from within Lightner’s own district. Of the nearly $600,000 she raised or was spent in support of her, $335,100 was contributed by individuals, and $137,400 of that came from people living in La Jolla.

Though she received support from firefighters and police officers, other labor groups spent money opposing her. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 135 and San Diego Works, which is sponsored by the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council AFL-CIO, spent a combined $87,500 in opposition to Lightner.

Those two labor groups did not spend money in support of Ellis, though. His money came from the Republican Party, conservative groups and individuals. In all, a total of $1.1 million was raised by Ellis or spent by committees in support of him or against Lightner — nearly twice the amount of money involved in Lightner’s campaign.

Lightner captured 54.9 percent of the votes in the November general election, beating Ellis by 5,700 votes, 31,585 to 25,881.